Through fevers and coughs, rashes and reactions, your local pharmacist is always there to make sure you’re provided the appropriate medications to keep you safe and healthy. Throughout October, University of the Sciences’ chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) is celebrating American Pharmacists Month to recognize the significant contributions to healthcare and patient care that pharmacists provide in all practice settings around the country.

With the theme “Know Your Medicine, Know Your Pharmacist,” USciences’ APhA-ASP kicked off their celebration with Philadelphia College of Pharmacy’s annual White Coat Ceremony on October 2. Students from the 2014 doctor of pharmacy program were presented their white coats, recited the oath of the pharmacist, and were honored for their commitment to the health profession. In addition, select APhA-ASP members attended the Pennsylvania Pharmacist Association conference in Pittsburgh while others walked in the Step Out for Diabetes! Walk in Philadelphia or participated in the Project Breathe and MTM Health Screening in Haddon Heights, NJ. USciences APhA-ASP also appeared on NBC 10's morning news for a "Wake Up Call" to promote American Pharmacist Month. To watch the video, click here.

Additional month-long activities by APhA-ASP draw attention to the profession and educate the local community about major health concerns.

October 4: Patient Care Event at CVS on 43rd and Locust Street from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

October 7: Trip to New York City to visit CBS' Early Show. Students not traveling will assist at USciences’ flu clinic from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and host a bake sale to support the Pink-a-Thon from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. To watch APhA-ASP on CBS' Early Show, click here.

October 11: Visit to McNeil Pharmaceuticals for a tour and information session.

October 14: Nick Dorich, APhA-ASP national member at-large, will visit for the APhA-ASP meeting from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

October 15 – 16, from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.: APhA-ASP will be participating in the first annual Pink-a-Thon, a 12-hour dance-a-thon. All proceeds will benefit Linda Creed-Fighting Breast Cancer with Heart, the first local organization to address breast cancer as a serious and widespread disease threatening the lives of women living in the DelawareValley. The organization empowers women and their families to talk about breast cancer, learn about it, and take control of their health and their lives. The event will be held in the ARC lobby.

October 17: APhA-ASP will join with thousands of Philadelphians for AIDS Walk Philly. AIDS Walk Philly, the DelawareValley’s largest annual HIV/AIDS public awareness and fundraising event, begins at 7:30 a.m. in front of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

October 21: APhA-ASP will participate in a Big Brother Big Sister Peer Mentorship Event from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

October 21: Health Fair at Clark Park from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. APhA-ASP will provide free blood pressure screenings, heartburn awareness counseling, immunization information, tips on preventing heart disease, and facts on common diseases such as diabetes and asthma. They will also have coloring books for children to promote healthy habits. At the health fair, a proclamation from the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office will be read declaring October to be American Pharmacist Month in the city of Philadelphia.

October 22: APhA-ASP will be taking part in TempleUniversity’s “Giving Back to the Heroes” Event from Noon to 4 p.m.

October 24: APhA-ASP will walk and volunteer to support JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. One of the fastest growing fundraising events in the country, the Walk to Cure Diabetes starts at 7 a.m. in FairmountPark.

October 25: Patient Care Event at CVS on 43rd and Locust Street from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

On October 28, the celebration will wrap-up with the American Pharmacists Month Picnic sponsored by ACME Sav-On. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the quad, the entire campus, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to stop by for free food, music, and games.